End gate



June 12, 1934.

l. Har/W00 `/Illorney June l2, 1934.

/7 22 zvq a l. gif 4 /r Z0 Inventor l. j?, Har/Ww? f1 Homey Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED sTAres PATENT orifice END GATE Le Rey Robert Harmen, Geddes, S. Dak.

ipplication April 25, 1933, Serial No. 667,881

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved end gate for transportation trucks of the type used for handling livestock.

Briefly stated, the principal feature of con struction is predicated upon the provision of an end gate having an adjustable exit opening to facilitate orderly unloading or animals.

It is a matter of common knowledge that where the ordinary one-piece end gate is used much confusion results, for when the gate is swung open or removed the animals rush out haphazardly from the truck. This results in no end of trouble for the attendant.

The purpose of the present improved end gate l5 is to provide a satisfactory and dependable arrangement whereby the end gate, Aas a unit, may be maintained in a closed position due to the fact that it embodies one or more slidable sections to control the size of the exit opening in order to permit unloading of the animals in single or double le as deemed advisable by the attendant.

The preferred embodiment of the invention utilized for accomplishing the foregoing will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a rear end elevational view of an end gate constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is an inside elevational view or" the same.

Figure 3 is a top plan or edge view of Figure l.

Figures 4 and 5 are vertical and horizontal sections taken on the planes of the lines 44 and 5-5 respectively of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference characters, it will be observed that the end gate is made up of three distinguishable parts or sections, namely one primary or stationary section 6 and a pair of sliding door sections 7 and 8 respectively. All three sections are of open-work slatted construction.

The main or relatively stationary section cornprises vertical pairs of end members 9 rigidly secured at their upper ends to a horizontal top bar 10 which extends the complete width of the gate. At the bottom is a channel-shaped stabilizing and retention bar 11. Also as shown in Figure 2, short slats 12 are secured in back of the angle bar and between the end members 9 and pairs of inwardly disposed fixed guide and retaining bars or members 13. The numerals 14 designate the additional short slats. Thus this section 6 is in the form of an open-work or slatted frame comprising the outer vertical members 9, the horizontal top bar 10, the bottom angle bar 11, the inwardly disposed spaced parallel pairs of guide bars 13, and the stabilizing slats 14.

As before pointed out, there are two slidable sections 7 and 8, and each section is the same in construction and a description of one will suflice for both. Each slidable section comprises a pair of outer vertical frame bars 15 and a pair of companion inner frame bars 16. The bars of the respective sets or pairs are fastened together in spaced parallelism with the upper ends of the bars 16 slidably straddling the horid zontal top bar 1i). The bars 15 are slidably mounted between the relatively fixed bars 9 and 13. In addition, the numerals 17 designate the slats which serve to complete the slidable section.

It will be noticed that these slats are arranged in alternating relationship with respect to the rst-named slats 14 whereby to permit the slats 1'? to slide between the slats 14 when the slidable sections 'l and 8 are slid horizontally to open position as indicated in dotted lines at the left in Figure l. The means for eiecting this sliding action comprises, in each instance, an operating lever 18. This is pivotally attached as at 19 to an adjacent one of the fixed guides 13 as shown in Figure 1. The lower swingable end portion is formed into a handle as indicated at 20 and the intermediate portion is pivotally attached as at 2i to an actuating link 22. The link 22 is pivotally connected at 23 to the adjacent bars 15.

Thus the lever has a pendulous-lilre action and is swingable in the direction of the arrow A. The sections 7 and 8 are movable in the direction of the arrows B. It is possible to operate either one cr the other or both of these sections '7 and 8 as desired and according to the size of the exit opening desired for unloading. Y

As shown in Figure l when the sliding gates or sections 7 and S are closed the operating levers 18 hang down in true perpendicular position in approximate alinement with the stationary guide 100 bars 13. To open either one of the slidable sections the lever 18 is swung outwardly in the direction of the arrow A. In this movement the lever exerts a thrust action on the pivoted actuating link 22 which is connected to the slidable 105 section 7 thus moving it toward the left as shown in dotted lines to assume an open position. This provides a restricted outlet allowing the animals to pass out in single le. lf a larger opening is desired, the other gate or slide 8 is moved to open 110 position. Thus, I have provided a simple and economical end gate embodying the relatively fixed slatted section 6 equipped with a pair of duplicate slidable gate sections 7 and 8.

Novelty is predicated upon the alternate relationship of the movable slats 17 in contrast to the fixed slats 14 whereby the respective slats function as guides and stabilizing members. Additional novelty is predicated upon the simplified open-work construction of the rnain stationary frame section 6 embodying the horizontal top bar 10 and the spaced parallel vertical guides 13 which serve to accommodate the slidable slatsV 17,

Furthermore, a feature of distinction is found in the provision of the simple dependable pendulous-like operating levers 18 having proper operating or link connection with the slidable sections '7 and 8 to permit said sections to be readily moved to open or closed position as desired.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the illustrative drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the purpose, features and advantages, the explicit construction, and the in- Vention as hereinafter claimed.

t is to be understood that minor changes in shape, size, relative proportions, and materials may be resorted to in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the invention as now claimed.

I claim:

An end gate comprising a main relatively stationary section embodying a horizontal top bar, a horizontal bottoni par, vertical end bars secured to the top and bottoni bars, pairs of inwardly disposed spaced parallel guide bars, vertically spaced slats rigidly fastened between the guide bars and end and a pair of duplicate slidable closure sections, each closure section embodying vertical liars and slats secured therebetween, the slats or" the closure sections being arranged to slide between the slats oi the main frame section, and operating ineans for each closure section, each operating means comprising a pivotally pendulous-like lever pivotally attached to the inain traine section, and a thrustlink pivoted to the intermediate portion of the le er and an adjacent portion of the compleinental slidable closure section.

LE RGY ROBERT HARMON. 

